Translation: Þula Guðrún Árnadóttir

You can always find something appropriate in the theatre, whether it be on dark winters evenings or bright spring days. This year theatre goers can see their favourite books spring to life on the stage, laugh and cry with known historical figures and ponder the big questions in life. The end of the world, cultural clashes, sex help books, passionate loves, family ties and so much more will be discussed!

We present here the shows that we are most excited for in the next year of theater, fingers crossed!

Borgarleikhúsið

Ein komst undan (e. One got away)- premiers in January

On a lovely afternoon, four neighbours sit together in one of their backyards and sip tea. What could go wrong? Everything, according to the play by Caryl Churchill (b. 1938), Ein komst undan, will be performed under the direction of Kristín Jóhannesdóttir in the coming January. A casual tea party blends together with calamity and natural disasters, and suddenly the end of the world is imminent. Yet- is there anything that can stop these four old friends? In his magnificent piece, four of the most beloved actresses in Iceland gather their power. Edda Björgvinsdóttir, Kristbjörg Kjeld, Margrét Ákadóttir and Margrét Guðmundsdóttir.

Tu jest za drago (e. It’s too expensive here)- premiers in February

The theatre group PóliS sets on the stage a light-hearted show about a young couple that comes to Iceland to work and save some money for their wedding back in Poland. During their time here they get into all sorts of adventures and meet strange characters. The result is a hilarious play about the interaction between the friend nations and the cultural clashes and the funny moments that often come with them. The show is performed in polish but for Icelandic and English speaking viewers there will be subtitles available.

Umbúðalaust (e. Packaging Free)- premiers from December until May

A variety of performance art groups with step onstage in Borgarleikhús to talk about, uncensored, piping hot subjects like pyramid schemes, feminist marketing, sex help books, soft masculinity and cosiness whilst also wondering what is being kept in the storage spaces of Iceland.

Á vísum stað (e. In a certain place)- premieres in December

How to make love to a man - premiers in march 2022

Femcom - premieres May 2022

Þjóðleikhúsið

Framúrskarandi vinkona (e. Outstanding friend)- premiers in december

Guests of the Þjóðleikhúsið can expect a real Italian theatre party where everything will be pulled out for the staging of the temperamental friends, Lila and Elena, who have travelled the world. They grow up in a poverty-ridden neighbourhood in Napoli in the 60s and need to pull out all the stops to survive, become educated and fight for a better life in a rough neighbourhood. This is a story about a complicated friendship, passionate love, jealousy, bitter sacrifices, fortitude and despair in a world where violence is the ruler and the rights of women are scarcely respected. A true masterpiece with many of the foremost actresses of Iceland.

Sem á himni (e. As in the sky)- premiers in April

Here is a charming musical that tugs on all of your emotional strings with beautiful music and colourful characters. The play takes its stage in the countryside, where everyone knows everyone, both their sorrows and joys. A world-famous conductor at the peak of his career unexpectedly makes his home in the town and the townsfolk decide to have him conduct the church choir. The man carries painful secrets and wants to reduce chaos in the world, but when the music starts playing again in the village things start to loosen up and many things take an unexpected turn. The story is endearing and deals with the true treasures of life, friendships and love.

Jólaboðið (e. The Christmas Party)- in theatres now

Viewers are invited to peek into the living room of an Icelandic family on Christmas eve, routinely, over the course of a century. The story begins in 1914 when Icelanders have started to pursue trawling whilst the first world war ravages in Europe, electricity is a new thing and the Spanish flu is just around the corner. The upheaval of an entire century is revealed when the family gathers on Christmas; the second world war, the hippie era, technological advances within society and at the same time the struggle of the family to get accustomed to changing ways and internalised habits. This play displays a conservative family who tries to fight against the progression of time

Þjóðleikhúskjallarinn

There are many exciting things on offer in Þjóðleikhúskjallarinn this winter. Margrét Erla Maack offers Jólasukk (e. Christmas Filth) in December and Hádegisleikhúsið (e. Lunchtime Theater) continues to cheer viewers with all sorts of antics.

Jólasukkið (e. Christmas Filth) with Margréti Maack - premieres in December

Hádegisleikhús (e. Lunchtime Theater) - in theatres now

Tjarnarbíó

Fíflið (e. The Idiot) - premiers spring 2022

It is a precarious position to hold power over people and that is why all kings need a fool, someone who can tease apart their kings with humour and make their power laughable. The fool is allowed to say whatever he wants in the presence of the king- as long as it's funny. Here the story of the fool is traced through time and different parts of the world, and the relationship between the fool and power is explored. Can the fool have a true impact on the progression of history and are the king and the fool one and the same person when it comes to it?

**VHS demands respect- in theatres now**

The stand-up comedy group VHS has enjoyed much popularity recently and is now entertaining audiences with their new stand up comedy in Tjarnarbíó. But who are these VHS? And why do they demand respect? The group promises a fantastic evening and possibly the best stand up comedy in the history of Iceland… who knows?

Anna and Snædís present the theatre year 2021-2022